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NFL greats on 'other' teams

Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice embracing each other after a game in anything other than a Cowboys and 49ers uniform, respectively? Seems like something out of "The Twilight Zone", and it sets the stage for these other awkward images of NFL greats on teams they just don't belong on.

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NFL greats on 'other' teams

Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice embracing each other after a game in anything other than a Cowboys and 49ers uniform, respectively? Seems like something out of "The Twilight Zone", and it sets the stage for these other awkward images of NFL greats on teams they just don't belong on. Darryl Webb, AP

Even stranger than Rice with the Raiders, though, were the 11 games he spent with the Seahawks in 2004 after Oakland traded him to Seattle. Rice had three touchdown catches with the Seahawks, but do you remember any of them? … Elaine Thompson, AP

Not ready to give up on his career just yet, Rice, at the age of 42, reduced himself to trying out with the Broncos during the 2005 preseason. Though he never officially was listed as a member of the team, seeing him in orange and blue was totally unnatural. Rice eventually faced reality, though, and retired before the team could cut him. Matt York, AP

Joe Montana: 49ers fans also would rather forget about the two years Montana spent with the Chiefs in 1993-94 and instead remember the four Super Bowls he won during 13 years in San Francisco. John Sleezer, AP

Brett Favre was king in Green Bay for 16 seasons until he decided to retire, only to want to un-retire and return to the Packers. But the team already had settled on moving on with Aaron Rodgers, so Favre did the same and signed with New York Jets in 2008. After an 8-3 start, things fell apart for Favre and Co., winning just once in the last five weeks to miss the playoffs. It would be his only season in New York. Elaine Thompson, AP

As if to want to stick to the Packers, Favre signed with the AFC North-rival Minnesota Vikings in 2009 and had a remarkable revival. Favre twice beat his old team in leading the Vikings to a division title with a 12-4 record, on his way to an NFC Championship Game appearance. Unfortunately, his costly late fourth-quarter interception led to an overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints. Favre spent one more injury-plagued season in Minnesota before retiring -- this time for good.. Matthew Stockman, Getty Images

Emmitt Smith: In 1990, Smith rushed for 937 yards as a rookie with the Cowboys. Then he proceeded to help the team win three Super Bowls while becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher. He left the league the way he started, rushing for 937 yards in 2004, only it was with the Cardinals with whom he spent the final two years of his career. Matt York, AP

Tony Dorsett: Dorsett was a running machine with the Cowboys from 1977-87, which is why he's a Hall of Famer. That final 1988 season with the Broncos probably didn't contribute much to his Canton enshrinement. Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

Steve Young: Young filled the shoes of Joe Montana admirably with a Super Bowl title of his own and two league MVP awards, on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer. Which makes it hard to remember that Young's NFL career actually started with two years in Tampa. Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

Franco Harris: This is the man who forever will be remembered as the Steelers great who caught "The Immaculate Reception", not running off tackle for the Seahawks. Seattle is where the Hall of Fame running back spent 1984, the final season of his career. Vernon Biever, NFL

Peyton Manning: With Manning missing all of the 2011 season because of neck surgery, and Andrew Luck being a can't-miss prospect the Colts couldn't afford to pass up with the No. 1 overall pick, Indianapolis made the difficult decision to release Manning after 14 years. It brought Colts owner Jim Irsay to tears. Indy's loss has been the Broncos' gain. Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports

Junior Seau: Seau, who grew up in nearby Oceanside, Calif., was Mr. San Diego for 13 years with the Chargers. After it was over, Seau delivered an emotional retirement announcement filled with tears. But just a few days later, he had a change of heart and signed with the Dolphins, much to the chagrin of San Diego fans. … Paul Connors, AP

After three years in Miami, Seau still wasn't ready to call it a career. Fueled by a desire to win a championship, he joined the Patriots in 2006 and played out the final four years of his career in New England. Though he came close in 2007, the Super Bowl title eluded him. Jim Rogash, Getty Images

Reggie White: White a sack machine with the Eagles? Check. White a sack machine with the Packers? Check. But the Panthers? Raise your hand if you know how many sacks White had during his final season in Carolina. H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Smith: One of the league's greatest sack masters is a legend in Buffalo, where he spent 15 seasons during the Bills' glory years. Smith finished off his career with four relatively forgettable years with the Redskins and retired after 2003. H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports

Tim Brown: Brown played 16 years with the Raiders, but he wasn't ready to call it quits just yet. So he played his final season in 2004 with the NFL's other pirate team, the Buccaneers, reuniting with old coach Jon Gruden. Julie Fletcher, AP

Larry Allen: As the cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive line, Allen played in some epic games against the 49ers in the '90s. And then he joined them for the final two years of his Hall of Fame career in 2006-07. Greg Trott, Getty Images

LaDainian Tomlinson: For nine years, Tomlinson set the NFL on fire, scoring double-digit touchdowns every season with the Chargers, including an NFL record 31 in 2006 during his MVP season. Then in his final two years with the Jets, LT rushed for a total of 1,194 yards and seven touchdowns. Danny Wild, USA TODAY Sports

Warren Sapp: Sapp was a big reason the Buccaneers got up off the doormat and eventually won their only Super Bowl in 2002. After 9 years in Tampa, which included seven straight Pro Bowl appearances from 1997-2003, the Hall of Famer signed with the Raiders, where he wasn't very good for the final four years of his career. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Sports

Cris Carter: All Carter did during his Hall of Fame career was catch touchdowns for the Vikings – even some before that with the Eagles. That final season in 2002 with the Dolphins? A total of eight catches for 66 yards and one touchdown in five games. Morry Gash, AP